James Island - First Baptist athletic director Graham Haley announced Jamaal Birch as the next coach of the Hurricanes’ program in early February. The coach has hit the ground running.
Birch comes to First Baptist from Providence Day School where he worked under former Oceanside Collegiate head coach Chad Grier.
“When I first met coach Birch, I knew he was going to be our next head football coach,” Haley said. “He has a true vision for our program and our school that will be unmatched on and off the field. His faith, leadership skills and integrity will make him a true difference-maker in the lives of our students. Coach Birch has a contagious energy that will bring our program to the highest level.”
Birch got his start in coaching at Oceanside Collegiate under Grier, serving three seasons as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. He also coached wide receivers at Providence Day, which won state titles in 2021 and 2022.
Birch is excited for his first opportunity to be a head coach and loves the potential at First Baptist.
“From the moment I stepped on campus, I felt the love and commitment from everyone I came in contact with,” Birch said. “Meeting with the administrators, the faculty, the students, it felt like home. This place has an amazing family atmosphere and everyone wants the same thing. First Baptist is a great place for me to grow in my faith and a great place to grow as a coach. I can’t wait to get started.”
While still needing time to evaluate personnel, Birch hopes to develop a high-flying passing game at First Baptist. The Hurricanes do return a veteran quarterback in Cooper Glazer.
“We want to throw the football and put pressure on the defense, but we also will have the ability to run the football and keep people honest,” the coach said. “We will evaluate every player and we will work the halls to get other kids involved in football. We will figure out what works best for us.”
Birch has worked hard in the spring putting together a football staff and anticipates a few new faces on the sidelines this season. Spring practice will be important, he says, as the new players and coaching staff familiarize themselves with the new system.
Several former players from First Baptist have joined the coaching staff, including linebacker coach Timmy Campbell and former Coastal Carolina performer Devin Brown.
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